Points for discussion

Exercise 9. Before reading the text try to answer the questions given below. The following word combinations can help you to build your answer:

specific career ideas or subject interests

to go into higher education

to focus one's thinking on sth

to crystallize one's ideas

to underestimate the importance of sth

lack of motivation

to make an easy decision

the course structure

to give sb an overview of subject areas

to want a qualification to expand one's career prospects

to use the content of a course directly at work

postgraduate study

to make direct contact to obtain the information sb require

to make an informed decision

living expenses

1) What do you have to take into consideration when choosing where to study?

2) Is it better to do a course that is interesting or that is 'useful'?

3) What is the main reason for some students not completing their degrees?

4) Where can you find information on universities and courses?

5) Is paying for higher education a good investment?

6) Do you agree with the statement: "graduates tend to earn more than non-graduates, their incomes rise more rapidly and they have a greater range of career options open to them"? Explain your answer.

Your choice of what to study and where to study has never been wider and it takes time and effort on your part to research the possibilities thoroughly. Institutions offer different programmes of study and facilities and methods of assessment. The extent of your choice and complexity of your decision depend on your starting point and, nowadays, on financial considerations.

If you have decided on a particular career which has a clearly defined entry route, e.g. Architecture, Dentistry, Engineering, it is easy to identify suitable courses. Where you choose to study can be affected by entry requirements, the type of institution you prefer, local facilities and opportunities for relevant part-time work.

If you have a strong interest in particular subjects whether directly related career or not, again part of the decision is more focused. It is more satisfying to study something which interests you and at which you are therefore more likely to succeed. Your enthusiasm for what you are doing will make the all-round experience of higher education more satisfying than it might be when you study a subject which you or others perceive to be 'useful', but which you find boring. You do need to have some indication of the types of jobs open to graduates in a particular subject, but remember that many employers seek graduates with good degrees in discipline. They are looking for people who possess the necessary personal qualities and motivation for the job, and can demonstrate how worthwhile their whole educational experience has been.

For example, History graduates become merchant bankers, Science graduates – journalists, and Law graduates – computer programmers. Where you study a subject of special interest might be affected by availability of options or subsidiary courses, the flexibility of the programme, the way it is taught and assessed, the facilities offered and links with employers.

What Happens after Secondary School?

1. The school leaving age in Britain is 16. Study the flow chart showing the possibilities for young people in Britain from age 16. Would a chart for your country show many differences from this one? What are the main differences?

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